Leeds United fans were disappointed to miss out on the permanent signing of Kyle Bartley last summer. The 26-year-old enjoyed a brilliant season-long loan at Elland Road, but failed to secure a permanent transfer as Swansea's reported £7.5 million price-tag made a move impossible.

But could a recent transfer rumour indicate that the towering centre-back is a little more available now than he was six months ago?

The former Arsenal youngster is only just back from injury after missing virtually the whole first half of the campaign, and it remains to be seen what manager Carlos Carvalhal plans on doing with him until the end of the season.

But their reported interest in Siovas might well indicate that the former Leeds star is available and Director of Football Victor Orta should enquire about bringing him back on loan.

Only three Championship sides conceded less than United's haul of 47 goals last season and so much of that was down to the understanding that Bartley forged with Pontus Jansson.

Jansson and Liam Cooper have been decent for the most part this season, but that centre-half pairing does not inspire the same confidence as the Jansson-Bartley axis and re-signing the 27-year-old on a temporary basis would certainly boost the Whites' promotion hopes.

Thomas Christiansen's side are sixth in the Championship for now, but the West Yorkshire side need personnel in attack and defence and maybe, just maybe, Bartley could be coaxed from South Wales if his parent club sign the Greek defender.

Shane Callaghan

Shane is a Dublin-based sports writer who swapped the football pitch for the press box upon learning that he was better with a pen than with a round bit of leather. Prior to joining HITC, Shane enjoyed spells with Sports Mole and Goal.com among others, while he was also club reporter for Irish football club Drogheda United.